Mary Elizabeth (Franke) Eckberg died at Sky Ridge Medical Center in Lone Tree, CO, on December 30 2025. Mary was born at Mesa Verde National Park on June 20, 1935, to Mary Elizabeth (Pownall) Franke and Paul Richard Franke. Because of her father's National Park Service career as a Superintendent, Mary grew up in many National Parks, including Mesa Verde, Grand Teton, and Zion. She graduated from Santa Fe NM High School, class of 1953, and went on to obtain advance degrees in medical technology and medical administration. She spent her entire career in the medical field, working for labs and clinics, ultimately overseeing all the laboratory services at Kaiser Permanente in Denver, CO, from which she retired in 1994.

After retirement, she enjoyed volunteering with the City of Lakewood as an usher for the performing arts and at the Heritage Museum gift shop.

Mary met the love of her life, Myron G. Eckberg, on a street corner in Boulder, CO, while attending the University of Colorado. They were married on December 17, 1955, at Messiah Lutheran Church in Denver, CO. They moved to Monte Vista, CO, where they had two children (Catharine and Dave). They then moved to Canon City, CO, and Denver, CO, where they had their 3rd child (Eric). The family relocated to Santa Fe, NM, then to Norman, OK, back to Santa Fe, NM, and finally to Lakewood, CO. Mary lost Myron, on June 18, 2018. She continued to live in their Lakewood home until suffering a stroke in April of 2025.

Mary and Myron and their children spent many summers at their beloved summer cabin in Platoro, CO. They were joined by several extended family members who also purchased or built summer cabins. And they developed lifelong friendships with the other summer residents of this picturesque, historic mining town in the south San Juan mountains of Colorado.

Mary approached life as a joyful adventure and preferred to look on the positive side at all times. She loved to learn new things, work with her hands, and be creative. She could be found fixing plumbing under the kitchen sink, changing the oil in the car, digging old bottles from mountain cabin dumps, sewing clothes, making jewelry, or creating pottery. She believed strongly in being a steward for God's creation and felt that we are responsible for what happens to the creatures on this planet and our environment. Along with her family, she loved to hike, explore, and travel. She was an animal lover and loved several pets during her lifetime, beginning with her horse, Pinto, in Grand Teton and ending with her beloved beagle, Dawson, who predeceased her.

Mary is survived by her 3 children (Catharine (Eric), Dave (Julia), and Eric (Juli)); 7 grandchildren (Alyx, Camille (Trevor), Tara (Zach), Mitchell, Trevor, Devon, and Sarah), 3 great grandchildren (Rose, Mason, and Tarn). She is predeceased by her husband (Myron), her parents (Mary Elizabeth and Paul), and her two siblings (Ruth and Dick).

A memorial service will be held on February 21, 2026, at Atonement Lutheran Church, 6281 W. Yale Ave., Lakewood, CO 80227. A reception with light snacks will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to the following charities:

Mesa Verde Foundation

Wildlife for All

Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains